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violetblue.bsky.social
Violet Blue®
@violetblue.bsky.social
18K followers 160 following 4.6K posts
Awarded author, journalist: cybersecurity, privacy, digital human rights, Covid. WIRED, PopSci, Spinoff, Engadget, FT, IFJ. Visiting Scholar at Stout Research Centre, NZ.

Bio: about.me/violetblue
Pod: linktr.ee/raisedbyhorror
News: patreon.com/violetblue
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violetblue.bsky.social
"During nighttime auroras you could see hundreds of old ghosts all over Wellington, but it was like they weren’t aware... just echoes of who they used to be.”

According to Ghost Hunter's Guide, if you see the faded tonight, they're "like very faint film images."

➡️ www.patreon.com/posts/chapte...
Mihi distracted me from freaking out by explaining we just needed to give a little scare now and then, or we’d fade away. According to lore passed through generations of the remaining Wellington ghost population, five days was the limit before disappearing completely. Some fades went fast. Some were gradual, over the course of a day or night. There were theories about what happened after that, but no one came back from it. Jun Li said that during nighttime auroras – and only if it was clear skies, which were rare on those nights – you could see hundreds of old ghosts all over Wellington, but it was like they weren’t aware of anything. He described them as very faint film images. Nutmeg said, “I think they’re just like… echoes of who they used to be.”
November 12, 2025 at 6:14 AM
violetblue.bsky.social
The now, Wellington, Aotearoa NZ.
Selfie in front of a concrete wall with graffiti on that that reads Pay Here with an arrow pointing at me, I am wearing all black
November 12, 2025 at 4:11 AM
violetblue.bsky.social
From THE GHOST HUNTER'S GUIDE TO THE ALPHABET, the first sentence plus a bonus *second* sentence.

Convincing you to read my novel by the first sentence. Share yours if you want!
A is for ANEMOI It had been every day since the election that I was screaming, screaming, crying and screaming through wet salty snot. On the inside. Right now, I was in a tight spot. I flexed my wrists against thick duct tape. I felt dirt and rocks Read it serialized here: https://www.patreon.com/posts/chapter-one-to-140312103
November 11, 2025 at 10:15 PM
violetblue.bsky.social
No thoughts, just cat
Photo of a black and brown striped tabby cat on his back on a white rug. Max has both arms splayed out above his head and the top of his head presses on the rug, flattening his ears. He stares off into space and his tongue extends out almost ot his nose. We see three fangs. Super derpy.
November 8, 2025 at 10:25 PM
violetblue.bsky.social
My favorite slides from my favorite talk at #kawaiicon by so-called "Alex"
Photo of a talk onstage showing a slide about malware Photo of a talk onstage showing a slide about malware Photo of a talk onstage showing a slide about malware Photo of a talk onstage showing a slide about malware
November 7, 2025 at 11:12 PM
violetblue.bsky.social
Photo. Yellow walls and patterned carpet in a hotel with walls lined with mirrors. Photos from Las Vegas in a tower known for deaths after a tragic fire. It was empty when I visited. Photo. Yellow walls and patterned carpet in a hotel with walls lined with mirrors. Photos from Las Vegas in a tower known for deaths after a tragic fire. It was empty when I visited. Photo. Yellow walls and patterned carpet in a hotel with walls lined with mirrors. Photos from Las Vegas in a tower known for deaths after a tragic fire. It was empty when I visited. Photo. Yellow walls and patterned carpet in a hotel with walls lined with mirrors. Photos from Las Vegas in a tower known for deaths after a tragic fire. It was empty when I visited.
November 7, 2025 at 11:39 AM
violetblue.bsky.social
Legend @ellearmageddon.bsky.social keynoting #Kawaiicon in a respirator mask and shirt that says TRANS RIGHTS ARE HUMAN RIGHTS
Photo of a person standing on a stage behind a podium. The stage is polished wood and background projections are green and yellow flora. The speaker is wearing all black and a black mask
November 6, 2025 at 9:19 PM
violetblue.bsky.social
He growled at it 😂
Photo of a large silver tabby cat on a white rug in a hallway in a loaf posture looking back over his shoulder with giant eyes and enlarged pupils
November 6, 2025 at 8:29 AM
violetblue.bsky.social
[hacker voice] I'm in
Photo. Two versions of the Kawaiicon badge, on the left is a white one with gold print on paper that contains wildflower seeds. On the right is a brown paper square badge with black, green, and yellow print. Bitch badges say Violet Blue Hacker 1722 They are circled by a white lanyard that says Kawaiicon and has white flowers with little gold USB keys in the design, which is by Pepper Raccoon. It all has a beautiful art deco vibe.
November 6, 2025 at 3:27 AM
violetblue.bsky.social
Cat toys went in the box for cleanup this morning, now we're all looking for the guy who did this
Photo, floor with gray carpet and white rug. A red and white shoebox with cat toys in it, and all around cat toys have been pulled out and in the middle is a large silver tabby cat. Sam sits looking back over his shoulder, a surprised look on his face, but not at the camera, like he is shocked someone else did it and they are just behind me
November 3, 2025 at 1:10 AM
violetblue.bsky.social
The sickos meme but with Commander Sisko from Deep Space Nine
November 2, 2025 at 6:53 AM
violetblue.bsky.social
Their trick or treat candy was a heart-shaped tuna flavored lollipop. Sam daintily licked it until Max moved him over and opened his mouth as wide as possible like a snake to envelop the whole lollipop down to the stick and dug in/held on until I pulled it free, what a good boi 🤣
A silver tabby cat in profile wearing a skeleton costume daintily licking a brown tuna lollipop with Halloween decorations all around Not sure why this photo is darker, it was at the same moment. A brown tabby cat in a skeleton costume devouring a brown tuna lollipop in one huge bite with Halloween decorations all around
November 1, 2025 at 7:05 AM
violetblue.bsky.social
Happy Catoween from Wellington, Aotearoa NZ 🎃
Two tabby cats in black skeleton costumes on a white rug. Behind them is an orange cat cave shaped like a pumpkin and a white cardboard scratcher haunted house that says SPOOKY on it. There are catnip Halloween toys and battery operated pumpkin candles. Halloween decorations are in the background. White rug. A silver tabby peeks out from a white cardboard scratcher haunted house that says SPOOKY on it. There are catnip Halloween toys and battery operated pumpkin candles. Halloween decorations are in the background. A tabby cats in a black skeleton costume on a white rug. Behind Sam is an orange cat cave shaped like a pumpkin and a white cardboard scratcher haunted house that says SPOOKY on it. There are catnip Halloween toys and battery operated pumpkin candles. White rug. A brown and black stripes tabby peeks out from a white cardboard scratcher haunted house that says SPOOKY on it. There are catnip Halloween toys and battery operated pumpkin candles. Halloween decorations are in the background.
October 31, 2025 at 7:51 AM
violetblue.bsky.social
Great lunch meeting at Stout Research Centre today, took a lil unmasked selfie outside on campus.
Photo, selfie. I am a white girl with black hair pulled up in a bun in a light pink headwrap held by a shell barrette. Black short sleeved turtleneck, green Wellington University lanyard and ID. White sunglasses. I am smiling and holding up a peace sign. Dappled sunlight with plants and brick walkway behind me.
October 30, 2025 at 1:36 AM
violetblue.bsky.social
A ton of *large* hail just dropped on Wellington
My white hand holding a scoop of large pea sized hail (very big peas, small grapes)
October 28, 2025 at 2:37 AM
violetblue.bsky.social
Accidentally filmed in slow motion, mellow rainy day beats playlist creating sinister atmosphere 😂
October 27, 2025 at 2:13 AM
violetblue.bsky.social
In case anyone finds it helpful to know, the controller layout map is pretty much the same as the first game (same command for holstering weapons, etc). Feels like Fallout New Vegas in space so far, loving it 😁
Game image of a capsule floating in space through a nebula in pinks and turquoise, a few planets and stars in the distance. The capsule looks like an art deco phone booth
October 25, 2025 at 5:30 AM
violetblue.bsky.social
@theouterworlds.bsky.social let's goooo! 🚀
Screen from character setup in video game The Outer Worlds 2. A brown window that says Captain Boop RENEGADE with sneak and lockpick skills. The character image on right is in a blue and gray uniform with red detailing and has white skin, dark indigo hair in a bun with bangs, a large scar on her left cheek. Behind her are banners for the Earth Directorate (I think).
October 25, 2025 at 2:00 AM
violetblue.bsky.social
Hi
Extremely pixelated crop of one of the original post images showing little glowing owl eyes in the background
October 25, 2025 at 1:07 AM
violetblue.bsky.social
I thought everyone could use some good news!

My conservation friends' nesting box survived Wellington's wild storm perfectly and a Ruru (tiny owl) sheltered in it. Then one started making a nest! There's a camera inside now, too. The feeds aren't public but here's how they're doing.
Black and white still image in negative from being in night mode of a forest and long white box on a tree. Two small owls perch nearby looking at the box. Black and white still image in negative from being in night mode of a forest and long white box on a tree. A small owl far in the background watches. Black and white still image in negative from being in night mode of a forest and long white box on a tree. A small owl is peering out from inside the nesting box. She is home now.
October 24, 2025 at 11:56 PM
violetblue.bsky.social
Newly dead in Wellington?

Sorry mate! You'll need a permit for that.

Please refer to The Ghost Hunter's Guide to the Alphabet

Chapter 1: www.patreon.com/posts/chapte...
Chapter 2: www.patreon.com/posts/chapte...
Chapter 3: www.patreon.com/posts/chapte...
Chapter 4: www.patreon.com/posts/chapte...
Vintage poster on yellowed paper with a hand-drawn, smiling uniformed constable holing up his permit log. Text reads: Haunt Authority Management Compliance Organisation Wellington "Situation well in hand" A HAMCOW haunting permit is required to haunt on public Wellington allotments. Each ghost within a haunting party and intending to haunt in a single allotment must have a group Permit. Urban Legend allotments are strictly prohibited Restricted Heritage Sites. Permits, Haunt Licences, and Urban Legend Designations cannot be transferred to, or be used by, anyone else. Open Haunt Areas do not add points toward Full Haunt Licencing. Restricted Permits often have specific special conditions, eg for a limited period. Before you haunt in Wellington Find out what permit you need to haunt on licenced allotments. Apply today! Class 1, 2, and 3 Permits. Indoor Permits Available. Haunt in most designated Authorised Ghosts Exempt areas outside most time restrictions. Enquire about our Learner’s Permits. Attain Full Haunt Licencing with the 90-Day Pathway To Afterlife Excellence Program. Learn to spot celebrities and politicians to fast-track your Haunt Licence or Urban Legend designation. Updated complaint forms. Logo for HAMCOW with its name, circular laurel leaves, and a skull wearing a crown. Only YOU can keep Pōneke haunted. It’s the mahi we do.
October 24, 2025 at 7:37 AM
violetblue.bsky.social
Sam's pumpkin, not yours 😂
Photo of a large silver tabby cat with bright green eyes laying on a white rug with an orange pumpkin catnip ball between his front paws. He looks at the camera defiantly, daring.
October 24, 2025 at 3:53 AM
violetblue.bsky.social
Last check on everything as the storm hits/gets louder and it took me a minute to find Sam.
A silver tabby hiding in bed under an off white duvet near the pillows. My hand is pulling back the covers and Sam looks up at me, stressed. They do not like the storm sounds and are hiding in the bedroom (Max is in the closet).
October 22, 2025 at 7:53 PM
violetblue.bsky.social
My cotton candy pink masks arrived today, ahhhhh 😊
Photo of my white hand with red nail polish holding a brown plastic package of adult KF94 MASKC masks, with a clear window showing a light cotton candy pink set of masks inside. The background is a white rug and black laptop
October 22, 2025 at 2:54 AM
violetblue.bsky.social
Wellington, keep your devices charged.
Strong Wind Warning - Red Area: Wellington, and Wairarapa south of Carterton Period: 10 hours from 8:00am Thu 23 Oct to 6:00pm Thu 23 Oct Forecast: Severe gale northwesterlies with damaging gusts of 140 km/h in exposed places. Impact: Threat to life from flying items and falling trees. Destructive winds will cause widespread damage including powerlines and roofs, with dangerous driving conditions and significant disruption to transport and power supply. Action: Stay indoors or seek sturdy shelter away from trees. Avoid travel. Be ready for power and communication outages.
October 21, 2025 at 9:48 PM